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Welcome to today’s panel!

I/DD and Mental Health: What We Are Learning About Challenges and Needs

• Jessica Kramer, kramerj@bu.edu

• Ariel Schwartz, aeschwar@bu.edu

• Micah Peace, spookymicah01@gmail.com

• Katy Schmid, Schmid@thearc.org

• Jennifer Sladen Alexander, Sladen@thearc.org

Why is it important to learn more about mental health challenges and needs of people

with I/DD?

What have we learned about some of the concerns people with I/DD and mental health

challenges and their families face?

What steps can we as a disability community take to help people with I/DD and mental

health challenges?

Today’s Big Questions

Good mental health and wellness is important for everyone

Problem-solving

Dealing with stress or trauma

Building self-confidence

Feeling happier

Mental Health and I/DD

People with I/DD may struggle to build good mental health or wellness

May have experience significant past trauma

May not have experience problem-solving issues

May not be able to control schedule or activities

Up to 40% of people with I/DD also experience co-occurring mental illness

Mental Health and I/DD

Little is known about the best approaches for support people with I/DD and mental

health challenges

Dependence on outdated approaches (e.g., seclusion, restraint, psychotropics)

Combined with a lack of family support resources and services, this puts a burden on

people and their families

Mental Health and I/DD

Both Boston University and The Arc set out to learn more about this issue in 2018

We wanted to learn more about:

the mental health needs of and experiences of people with I/DD and co-occurring mental health challenges

the family support needs and challenges of families that include a person with I/DD and co-occurring mental health needs

From this, we wanted to develop recommendations on practices, policies, or assistance would best help people and their families

We did this through two different but related efforts

Our Projects

Worked with chapters of The Arc in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Oregon to host 5 half-day focus group meetings

Engaged 80+ people, including people with dual diagnosis, parents, siblings, and professionals.

We asked people to share the challenges and successes they have had and to identify resources or steps that people could take to help their family

Family Support Research and

Training Center Focus Groups

Intellectual and Developmental Disability Mental Health (IDD-MH)

Research Partnership:

Goal: learn about the experiences and needs of young adults with

IDD-MH while accessing and using mental health services.

IDD-MH Research Partnership

6 young adults 5 professionals/

researchers

Youth and Young

Adults

Empowerment,

Leadership, and

Learning (YELL)

Lab

Easy read web survey

76 young adults with IDD-MH who were:Ages 18-30

Living in the United States

Story Telling Sessions

On the phone and at the 2018 SABE Conference

10 young adults with IDD-MH

6 parents of young adults with IDD-MH

Based on the survey and story telling sessions, we identified 8 priority topic

areas for service providers, service delivery systems, and researchers

What We Did

Through both the FSRTC and IDD-MH Partnership, we have identified 9 areas

where participants indicated challenges:

1. Transition to adulthood

2. Insurance and financial resources

3. Professionals’ competence

4. Communication

5. Hospitalization

6. Medication and alternatives

7. Social supports

8. Lack of resources

9. Undue burden on family

What We Have Learned

Transition to adulthood can be hard for everyone.

Lack of supports and services in areas like employment, independent living, and

adult health care can contribute to a decline in mental health for young adults

with IDD as they transition out of school and into adulthood.

Transition to Adulthood

“It's difficult to find independent living that knowledgeably supports me with an

IDD and mental illness. I'm living with my parents and would like to move out,

but we can't risk a relapse.” (National Web Survey)

“Seeing all of their peers and siblings going off to college and having all of these

major life changes and they are not, contributes to a lot of their anxiety and

feeling different.”

(Virtual Storytelling Session)

Transition to Adulthood

Insurance can limit young adults’ choices for mental health treatment.

Accessibility to appropriate mental health treatment can be cost prohibitive,

even with insurance.

Insurance and Financial Resources

“I could not afford to get mental health treatment until I moved to a state

where I could get Medicaid” (National Web Survey)

“I would have loved to have my son at home but there was no way to have him

cared for at home. So, my only choice was for him to live in residential care. No

family could pay over six figures a year for care…It takes money to take care of

people with mental health and special needs, but their life matters, too”

(Virtual Storytelling Session)

Insurance and Financial Resources

Not enough professionals have the appropriate skills

and knowledge to work with young adults with IDD-

MH.

This reduces the quality and appropriateness of the

mental health treatment young adults receive.

Professionals’ Competence

“Doctors don't understand how autism, anxiety and depression can coincide.”

(National Web Survey)

“I went to one therapist and I talked to them about all of the anger that I

had…Instead of supporting me …he attacked me.”

(Virtual Storytelling Session)

“It's hard to find doctors because they go too fast (stressful and I don't

understand) or speak like I'm a baby because they see I'm cognitively disabled.”

(National Web Survey)

Professionals’ Competence

In the FSRTC focus groups, families indicated that that competence is not just an issue with health care.

Education professionals, disability professionals, and mental health professionals all often do not have the training that they need to support people who have I/DD and MH challenges.

This results in difficult effectively supporting people and families in these competency areas as well as the setting of treatment plans or goals that are unrealistic for the family.

Families also reported that professionals may not provide services and supports in a way that reflected a family’s religious or cultural beliefs around disability.

Professionals’ Competence

It can be hard to figure out if mental health

treatment is effective when people with IDD have

communication differences.

Understanding the experiences of

people who communicate differently

“Having a hard time explaining symptoms.”

(National Web Survey)

“We have to judge how medication is affecting our son based on his behavior,

his facial expression, his body language. It's been a long and hard process.”

(Virtual Storytelling Session)

Understanding the experiences of

people who communicate differently

During the FSRTC focus groups, we learned that communications challenges not only exist between doctors and patients but occurs throughout the family itself and between the family and supporters.

People, families, and professionals struggle to communicate effectively with one another, which leads to a lack of effective coordination of supports and services. It can also sometimes lead to breakdown in family relationships when family members do not feel heard.

Communication Challenges

Lack of appropriately trained staff can make

inpatient hospitalizations a traumatic experience

for young adults with IDD.

Young adults want community-based options when

their mental health is bad.

Hospitalization

Hospital

“[I] was in the hospital for over one month, because doctors did not know what

medicine would work best.” (SABE Storytelling Session)

“I would constantly discuss how I wanted to die without being direct about it,

out of a fear I would be hospitalized.” (Virtual Storytelling Session)

“I lived in an institutional orphanage for the first few years of my life, and so

there's trauma around that. So, I do not like any type of institutional setting.”

(Virtual Storytelling Session)

Hospitalization

During the FSRTC focus groups, we learned that people with I/DD and co-

occurring mental health often end up in a cycle of hospitalization, return to

home, and re-hospitalization.

This often occurs because there may be no step-down supports that are

available to people who have multiple diagnoses or challenges or may occur as a

result of trauma experienced and compounded in the hospitals.

Many families reported that they often feel that they are in crisis and are

continual cycling through crises – that they have no way to get out of the crisis

situation after hospitalization.

Hospitalization

Young adults want choice and control over the

use of medication.

They want their choice to be respected and

supported.

Medication

“Medication, at first, was a disaster, but once my dosage was adjusted and I

grew to tolerate it, it worked wonders for me.”

(Virtual Storytelling Session)

“I need better medicine with fewer side effects.”

(National Web Survey)

“We did try medication ... It actually had an adverse effect because of how he

was not able to metabolize the medication.”

(Virtual Storytelling Session)

Medication

Young adults with IDD-MH use strategies, supports, and options other than

medicine to help their mental health.

Many young adults reported that therapy and involvement in community

activities helped their mental health.

Young adults especially need access to community activities and to high-quality

counseling/therapy when their mental health is bad.

Alternatives to Medication

Relaxation strategies, such as deep breathing and meditation

Therapy (therapists or counselors).

Doing activities they enjoy and make them feel good

Exercise

Doing art and other creative activities

Spending time with pets

Spending time alone

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Listening to music or watching TV/movies

Medical marijuana

Involvement in self-advocacy to learn to stand up for

themselves

Reported Non-Pharmacological

Strategies

“I try to do something creative like writing or doodling to get my mind off

things.” (National Web Survey)

I got started in the self-advocacy movement, and I stand up for myself and what

I want for my treatment. (SABE Storytelling Session)

“She needs less medication and more hands-on kind of therapy other than taking

more pills.” (Virtual Storytelling Session)

“My son… has the right to go to church but couldn’t go. Pretty sure no one’s

mental health is better when you lock them up, take away everything that gives

them life.” (Virtual Storytelling Session)

Alternatives to Medication

Young adults with IDD-MH need support from people

they can trust and who understand their experiences.

Family and friends can provide strong supports for

young adults' mental health.

But young adults often don’t get the social support

they want and need for their mental health.

Social Supports

“I like talking with and spending time with my family and my friends, a lot.

‘Cause it helps me a lot…friends are always the best medicine”

(SABE Storytelling Session)

“[I am] always depressed and people are tired of hearing about it.”

(National Web Survey)

“It's been so helpful for us to have these other families that understand our

daily frustration and can share information and also be part of our mental

health team.” (Virtual Storytelling Session)

Social Supports

People with dual diagnosis, parents, and siblings may often feel lonely or

isolated as a result of lack of understanding, difficulty communicating,

discrimination, or stigma.

People with I/DD and mental health challenges need more opportunities for

emotional support, inclusion, and building relationships.

Parents and siblings also need more opportunities for emotional support and

peer mentoring.

Families need more training to help build social and independent living skills,

deal with stress, and create plans to more effectively transition throughout

their lives together.

Social Supports and

Training for Families

Throughout focus groups, we heard repeatedly that there is often a lack of appropriate resources and services for families.

The disability and mental health systems are extremely complex and inflexible. Families struggle to navigate between the two, and care is often delayed or rejected because families are caught between the two systems on who would pay.

Lack of Resources

and a Complicated System

Families are also often responsible for coordinating care between the two system but do not receive support to learn how to navigate the system nor on what resources are available. Families have to be coordinator, communicator, financier, and support provider.

But, the system treats everyone as if they are an island unto themselves, which may result in care not being appropriate for the family or causing additional burden on the family.

Especially in cases where people have multiple children receiving support, some families reported a need to becomes an “un-family” in order to get the care for each member.

Undue Burden and Stress

Creating an “Un-Family”

Steps and Actions

the Disability Community Can Take

Create and Develop Training:

Develop a nationwide, replicable training around I/DD and mental health for

mental health, disability, and education professionals

Support trainings aimed at enhancing the cultural competence of disability,

mental health, and education professionals

Expand future planning training and resources to target and support families of

people with dual diagnosis to create transition plans for each part of the

families’ lifespans

Expand trainings for caregivers that are intended to reduce caregiver burden

Steps and Actions the Disability

Community Can Take

Advocate for or Support Systems Change:

Support the development of and improve policies and procedures that provide

for easier access, communication, and navigation between the I/DD and mental

health service systems

Support research activities that further develop evidence-based mental health

treatments that are alternatives to medication and that are adapted to the dual

diagnosis population

Steps and Actions the Disability

Community Can Take

Support the Development of New Resources, Including:

Policies and programs that will allow all people with dual diagnosis and family

members the ability to access quality mental health care, regardless of whether

they have private or public insurance

Support groups for people with dual diagnosis, siblings, and parents so that

people can build more relationships and avoid feelings of isolation or loneliness

Steps and Actions the Disability

Community Can Take

Enhance Community Awareness:

Create public awareness campaigns to

counteract stigma and misperceptions

around dual diagnosis

Steps and Actions the Disability

Community Can Take

Steps and Actions

States and Policymakers Can Take

Provide more comprehensive, wrap-around and integrated supports for young adults with

I/DD transitioning to adulthood.

This includes:

Medicaid waiver programs that include MH services & supports

Improving access to and programming for post-secondary education

Improving access to affordable housing in the community

Include planning for MH needs in IDEA transition plans.

Steps and Actions States and

Policymakers Can Take

Provide more community based treatment options for young adults with IDD-MH.

Some examples are:

Crisis prevention and planning for young adults with IDD-MH, their families, and

direct care providers.

Adaptation of day treatment or partial hospitalization programs currently available

to people with mental health conditions, so they are appropriate for young adults

with IDD-MH.

Steps and Actions States and

Policymakers Can Take

Include young adults with IDD in current peer-led or peer mediated mental health

recovery services, and/or develop “peer-to-peer” networks for young adults with IDD-

MH.

Harness knowledge and experience of IDD-MH advocates and advocacy organizations.

Best practices in family support and training such as “Parent-To-Parent” should address

mental health and provide mental health resources to families.

Steps and Actions States and

Policymakers Can Take

Steps and Actions

Health Systems Can Take

Reimbursement

Identify innovative ways to deliver mental health counseling and supports at lower costs,

such as mHealth or tele-health, to young adults with IDD-MH.

Insurance companies should provide reimbursement for non-pharmaceutical

services/supports at a rate equal to reimbursement for pharmaceutical and inpatient

services.

For example: counseling, health and wellness services, community-based treatment,

and transportation

Steps and Actions Health Systems

Can Take

Delivery of Care

Hospitals should adopt a trauma-informed approach to care for all individuals, including

young adults with IDD-MH.

Service systems, hospitals, and independent providers should have high and low tech

communication devices available for use by young adults with IDD-MH.

All materials about mental health conditions and treatments should be published in plain

language/easy read so young adults with IDD-MH can understand.

Steps and Actions Health Systems

Can Take

Steps and Actions

Mental Health Professionals Can Take

Improve communication by…

Asking young adults with IDD-MH how they best understand information (for

example, written, oral, pictures) and follow their request during appointments.

Checking for understanding and consent.

Communicating directly with young adults with IDD-MH, rather than their

parents/staff.

Allowing more time for appointments when working with young adults with IDD.

Learning how behavior is a form of communication.

Listening carefully to family members and support personnel who know young adults

best.

Steps and Actions Mental Health

Professionals Can Take

Improve medication management by…

Not assuming medication is the first or best option for treatment.

Respecting young adults who choose to not take medication or use

natural/homeopathic remedies.

Collaborating with young adults and families to identify the medication(s) that

produce the greatest benefit and have the fewest side effects.

Explaining the risks and benefits of medications, including side effects, in a way

young adults can understand.

Steps and Actions Mental Health

Professionals Can Take

1. Mental health and mental wellness are really important for people with disabilities.

This is an often overlooked part of a person’s life.

2. We have learned a lot about the challenges that people and their families are facing

in accessing mental health services that appropriate, holistic, respectful, and

community-based and that support both the person with disabilities and their

families.

3. There are several things that the disability community, health systems, and mental

health professionals can do to make things better for people with disabilities and

their families. More can and should be done to support people’s mental health.

Answering Today’s Big Questions

How to Support People During Psychiatric Emergencies: https://aadmd.org/page/emergency-care-webinar-series

Mental Health Wellness for Individuals with I/DD: http://training.mhw-idd.uthscsa.edu/

Trauma Informed Care: Perspectives and Resources: https://gucchdtacenter.georgetown.edu/TraumaInformedCare/

Center for START Services: https://www.centerforstartservices.org/community-resources

Accessing Home and Community Based Services: A Guide for Self-Advocates: https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/books/accessing-hcbs/

Resources

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